The Elephant in the Living Room

This is a must-see for anyone concerned about animal welfare or the welfare of their community (which includes almost everyone!). We see exotic animal incidents from all over the country and closely follow a heart-breaking story of a man and his lions. Most people (including me until I saw this film) have no idea how easy it is to purchase exotic animals and simply keep them in your home as if they were no different from a dog or a cat. How is it possible that you need a license to keep a dog, but not an elephant? This film shows why it shouldn't be possible, and blows the lid off an industry that turns a blind eye to human and animal suffering.

I can barely express how disgusted I am by what I saw in this documentary. Wild animals deserve to be free. Wild animals should not be bred for captivity, picture taking, or for people who have small appendages to "own". The person who has two lions in a horse trailer deserves to be severely fined and put in jail! The lions are laying in excrement, have no water, and have no food. This is just as bad as having a wild animal in a cement environment. The Lions obviously have no veterinary Care! Otherwise, how would four Cubs magically appear? Wild animals, especially large cats and primates, have no place in private ownership. Republican lawmakers, especially in texas, need to wake up and stop the abuse! Democrats already know that this is a really ignorant practice. I am a wildlife biologist by training and I'm just abhorred by this practice. Stop abusing wildlife!

I have been permanently altered by this documentary, one of the best animal and human relations films I have ever seen. Even two months after seeing it at the Sonoma International Film Festival, I keep reflecting on the many beautiful and heart-wrenching stories interwoven in this compelling and unbelievable tale of the lives of exotic animals and the people who buy and own them in the United States. It will open your eyes to the true cost of allowing exotic animals to be imported into our country. And the plight is not only for the animals but for the people who buy, love, and care (or try to care) for them. Compassion, courage, and candor are what make this movie so touching and real. You get more than just a passing glimpse into the lives of people affected by exotic animal ownership. You will come to love a real American hero, Tim Harrison, as he tries to walk the fine line between caring for both the animals and the people affected by the choices they make in becoming exotic animal owners. You will also be moved by the story of Terry, a man in Ohio who was given the gift of a lion cub one fateful day. What is so great about The Elephant in the Living Room is that the director, Michael Webber, clearly followed his heart in creating this film. Instead of a superficial story, he traveled all over the country painstakingly documenting and following the lives of some unique individuals and animals that you will never forget. Lambert the Lion will stay in my heart forever. Thank you for making this film, Michael!

This is the most amazing movie we have seen on the big screen in years! We were privileged enough to see the premier of this film in Dayton, Ohio tonight. We laughed, we cried, we were on an emotional roller coaster throughout the movie. Cant wait until its available to buy! You wont be disappointed! Eye opening on the issues we have in our country. It was enlightening, heartwarming, educational, and funny. My kids enjoyed it just as much as we did. This is the first time a documentary film has impacted me in such a way that I felt the need to get involved and help with the cause. It was amazing to see many of the problems in our own back yards that we never knew existed.

I for one will back Tim Harrison 150% on his claims in this film. Having been the person answering the phone for more than five years at a non-profit exotic animal sanctuary whose mission is to provide permanent 'end of life' care to captive-raised, non-domestic animals like those depicted in the film, I know what he says to be true! We, too, field more than 100 requests each year to 'adopt', or graciously accept private owners' "donations" (such a grand term for dumping their burdens on us) of their grown-up big cats, monkeys, iguanas, pythons, giant tortoises, bears, and other non-domestic 'pets'. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE for having living beings caged in this way? There is no valid reason other than to satisfy human ego, curiosity, and for profit. Period. If the general public doesn't know that's the case, then this film is a great starting point to become informed! It is not a horror-fest, so don't be afraid!! It is not purely a "message movie", either. This film is a piece of excellence in filmmaking, an extraordinary story-telling feat, and one every single American should see.